1

Xr Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

XR systems play a key role in teaching our robots how to understand the world around them. The Role You'll be working within our small but impactful XR team, contributing to a number of critical ...

Senior Lead Manufacturing Engineer, XR

San Jose, CA · On-site

$122K - $168K/yr

The Google XR team is a group of engineers, designers, and research scientists tasked with building the platforms that enable computing required for great immersive and augmented experience and ...

XR systems play a key role in teaching our robots how to understand the world around them. The Role You'll be working within our small but impactful XR team, contributing to a number of critical ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Xr Engineer information

See California salary details

$37.5K

$114.3K

$189K

How much do xr engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for xr engineer in California is $114,347.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,900.00 and $149,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Xr Engineer vs Virtual Reality Developer?

AspectXr EngineerVirtual Reality Developer
Required SkillsXR hardware integration, 3D modeling, programming (Unity/Unreal)VR application development, 3D design, Unity/Unreal
Work EnvironmentHardware setup, software development, testing XR devicesCreating VR experiences, user interface design, testing VR apps
Industry UsageGaming, healthcare, training, industrial applicationsGaming, entertainment, training simulations

Both roles focus on immersive technology, but Xr Engineers typically handle hardware integration and system development, while Virtual Reality Developers focus on creating VR content and applications. The roles often overlap, especially in industries like gaming and training, but their core responsibilities differ in hardware versus software emphasis.

How do XR engineers typically collaborate with designers and product managers during the development of immersive experiences?

XR Engineers frequently work in cross-functional teams, partnering closely with designers to translate creative concepts into interactive XR environments, and with product managers to align technical implementation with user needs and project goals. Regular stand-up meetings, design reviews, and prototyping sessions are common, allowing engineers to provide technical guidance on feasibility and performance optimization. This collaborative approach ensures that the final experience is both visually compelling and functionally robust, while meeting project deadlines and requirements. Strong communication skills and adaptability are key in this highly interactive and iterative work environment.

What is an XR engineer?

XR Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and implement extended reality (XR) experiences, which include virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) applications. They blend expertise in software engineering, 3D modeling, and user experience design to create immersive digital environments for various industries such as gaming, education, healthcare, and enterprise solutions. XR Engineers work with a range of tools and platforms to build interactive simulations and applications that bridge the physical and digital worlds.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an XR engineer?

To thrive as an XR Engineer, you need strong skills in computer programming (C#, C++, or JavaScript), 3D mathematics, and a background in computer science, engineering, or a related field. Proficiency in XR development platforms such as Unity or Unreal Engine, and familiarity with AR/VR hardware and SDKs, are typically required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication help XR Engineers collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and create user-friendly immersive experiences. These skills are crucial for developing high-quality XR applications that meet user needs and advance interactive technology.
What cities in California are hiring for Xr Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Xr Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Xr Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,347 per year, or $55 per hour.

XR Software Engineer, Senior - Customer Engineering

Qualcomm

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$123.90 - $185.90/hr

Other

Posted 10 days ago


Qualcomm rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

51st of 242 rated software companies


Job description

Company:

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area:

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Applications Engineering

General Summary:

Qualcomms XR Customer Engineering group is seeking a Solutions Architect to join a world class team developing the next generation of Augmented and Virtual reality (XR) technologies. The solutions architect will support ecosystem partners, including enterprise solutions providers, XR technology partners, and device OEMs in creating innovative solutions using the latest XR technology from Qualcomm. This is a unique opportunity to work with pre-commercial, next generation AR and VR headsets and software technologies. The candidate will help design and support partner demonstrations and proof-of-concept / pilot deployments, working with multiple technical and product teams within Qualcomm to architect solutions that meet project requirements. The candidate will act as a liaison and point of escalation between Qualcomms XR engineering team and ecosystem partner teams, and will be involved with designing, building, testing, an supporting XR solutions end-to-end.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Software Applications Engineering, Software Development experience, or related work experience.
  • Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 1+ year of Software Applications Engineering, Software Development experience, or related work experience.
  • PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field.
  • 1+ year of any combination of academic and/or work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
  • 1+ year of any combination of academic and/or work experience with debugging techniques.
Preferred Qualifications
  • The preferred candidate should have: A passion for XR technology, in its applications and use cases.
  • Experience or desire to be working with the latest XR SDKs (Unity, Unreal, Oculus, Vive, Magic Leap, Nreal, Qualcomm)
  • Android OS knowledge, with some development/framework experience.
  • Unity 3D development experience, knowledge of shaders and rendering pipeline.
  • Camera, Display, Video, Graphics background.
  • C/C++, C# development skills.
  • Experience in software design, mobile and/or XR systems architecture design, problem solving, debugging, and troubleshooting.
  • Must be self-starter, detail oriented, and highly motivated individual.
  • Ability to take ownership of work assignments and manage them to completion.
  • Ability to work as part of a large cross-functional, geographically distributed team as well as function independently.
  • Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
  • Curiosity and a thirst for knowledge and learning.
  • Have a strong customer and solutions-centric focus.
  • Up to 3 years of experience in Embedded Software Systems.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:

$123,900.00 - $185,900.00

The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus).

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer.

EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.

Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

What Qualcomm employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Qualcomm logo

About Qualcomm

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Qualcomm is enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected. You interact with products and technologies made possible by Qualcomm every day, including 5G-enabled smartphones that double as pro-level cameras and gaming devices, smarter vehicles and cities, and the technology behind the smart, connected factories that manufactured your latest purchase. Our powerful connectivity solutions keep you connected—even in remote areas. Qualcomm 5G and AI innovations are the power behind the connected intelligent edge. You’ll find our technologies behind and inside the innovations that deliver significant value across multiple industries and to billions of people every day.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1985